Writers group announces contest winners
(Courtesy photo) Winners of the March 17 “Luck of the Irish” annual writing contest co-sponsored by the Sandpoint Chapter of the Idaho Writers League and the East Bonner County Library, were, (from left) Mame Cudd, second place adult category; Maggie Russell, certificate in teen category; Celeste Lawrence, third place adult category;(front) Coen Smith, certificate in teen category; Kathleen Clayton, current president, Idaho Writers League and co-coordinator of the event; and Ken Fischman, first place, adult category.
Almost 50 writers from Clark Fork to Oldtown, from Bonners Ferry to Athol, participated in the annual writing contest co-sponsored by the Sandpoint Chapter of the Idaho Writers League and the East Bonner County Library, Saturday, March 17 at Sandpoint’s Heartwood Center.
The annual contest, titled “Luck of the Irish” commemorating the March 17 date, invited writers of all genres and skill levels to read five-minute portions of their works before the live audience who would then vote for the winning presentations.
When winners in the adult category were announced, first place went to Ken Fischman of Sandpoint, for “Lollipop”; second place to Mame Cudd of Sagle, for “Calling Out to Lizzie”; and third place to “Celeste Lawrence of Sandpoint, for “Inheritance.”
In the teen category, awards went to Maggie Russell of Sandpoint, for “A Second Chance,” and to Coen Smith of Sagle, for “Daily Drink.”
“Celebrating the art of writing, spirits were high, as writers anticipated reading their works in public,” said Sandy Anderson, league president and co-coordinator of the event.
With league members Tom Reppert and Jim Payne acting as emcee and time-keeper respectively, 22 authors “took listeners on a roller-coaster tour of unusual stories, sweet reminiscences, mirthful moments, and fantastic fables, as the audience sat captivated,” according to Anderson.
Both published authors and budding new writers participated with themes around love lost, family china, orphans, warfare, trolls and more, differentiated the writers’ interests.
Brunch for both participants and attendees was provided by Friends of the Library and writers’ league members.
Library Adult Programs coordinator, Mike Bauer, and past President of the Sandpoint Chapter and current President of the Idaho Writers League, Kathleen Clayton, served co-coordinators for the Luck of the Irish writing contest.
The Sandpoint Chapter of the Idaho Writers League that meets the first and third Saturdays of each month at 9 a.m. at the Sandpoint Library (currently at the Hotel Ruby until library renovations are completed).
Information: Sandy Anderson, sandy@2live4.com